Conclusion

Abstract

Chapter 7 summarizes that while moderates are often considered to be the power players in Senate politics, in reality they are minimizing their traceability to salient legislation. Indeed, moderates rarely offer amendments or speak in support or opposition of legislation, and frequently vote against their preferences. Behind the scenes, while they work about as hard as their colleagues, they are frequently unsatisfied with the legislative outcome and are not viewed as particularly influential by their colleagues. With increased polarization, the skyrocketing use of the filibuster, and leadership concerned more with winning elections than legislating, we should expect to see fewer broad coalitions built as moderates are unwilling and incapable of playing a pivotal role. Still, moderates are not ineffective legislators—they are about as effective as their colleagues; they are simply not the pivotal players that the media and political science scholarship views them to be.